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Seems like the section to ask this question (rather not start a new thread). so i've been talking to a couple riders and telling them how i want to start riding next year. My question for the guys that have been riding for a while now is what type of bike should i be looking into? One guy said to purchase a 250cc at the beginning so i can get a sense of riding a lot easier and learn how to corner better before i get into the higher CC bikes, while another said not too because then im going to end up wanting to get rid of the bike pretty soon for another and i'd just end up losing money in the process. I know this is a long ways away but i'd rather get a couple questions asked sooner than later so when the time comes i know exactly what im doing/looking for and im not waiting for replies to my questions then. Any advice/tips and what i should be asking myself or etc would be appreciated.

Pacific riding school should be a no brainer anyway if you're getting into riding. You will learn lots about bikes and riding in general, and not just technique. They teach you on 250's so you can gauge your own level of comfort. The size or type of bike your friends ride might not be the right one for you as well.

For what it's worth, I picked up an r6 as my first bike. Sport bikes aren't the best for proper street riding (I get tired being hunched over for so long.. When I rode my friends' cruiser and even the standard, I felt like I could ride all day) but I've always wanted one since I was a kid, so that was just my personal choice. As far as size goes, I just went straight to the 600 because I've dirt biked and atv'd quite a bit when I was younger, so I was already pretty comfortable on the bike.

Most important is that you go by what you feel is right for your comfort and skill level. If you feel confident you can handle a 600 right away, go for it. Adapting from a 250 isn't THAT much of a difference. But at the same time, if you're not really sure, just go with the 250 first. Better to lose a few bucks on reselling than to die on a machine you can't handle.

Best of luck and safe riding

__________________Studies show 100% of people die.. Might as well have some fun.
Hello my name is PJ.

the 250's hold their value well, so if you buy used, you have a very good chance to at least break even. you might even make a bit if you find the right person. they are also cheaper than 600's, so that means more money to spend on your gear.

when you're budgeting for your bike, don't forget to budget for gear too. even if you just get helmet, boots, jacket, gloves, that is potentially 700+ in gear. ymmv on pricing. i would say start with at least helmet jacket and gloves. but get proper boots asap.

i started on a 1978 GS400, and i didn't have proper boots, but i wore my steeltoes, so it wasn't as bad.

but realistically, a pair of Alpinestar SMX5 can be had for around 200.
HJC helmets are decently priced at around 150-200
gloves depending on leather or mesh. shorty or gauntlet could be from 50-400
for jackets the options are endles, and usually start around 150 i think.

i'm in the camp of getting a 250 as a starter, you'll learn to control a bike better on the smaller bike because it is lighter, and you can wring it's neck.

starting on a 600 is like holding a lit bottle rocket in your hand. you're always fearful of it, and it might blow up in your face. as a new rider you would always be babying the bike, and that is good for neither you nor the bike.

there is plenty of time to upgrade in the future, why jump into the 10m part of the pool on your first day of swimming lessons?

Seems like the section to ask this question (rather not start a new thread). so i've been talking to a couple riders and telling them how i want to start riding next year. My question for the guys that have been riding for a while now is what type of bike should i be looking into? One guy said to purchase a 250cc at the beginning so i can get a sense of riding a lot easier and learn how to corner better before i get into the higher CC bikes, while another said not too because then im going to end up wanting to get rid of the bike pretty soon for another and i'd just end up losing money in the process. I know this is a long ways away but i'd rather get a couple questions asked sooner than later so when the time comes i know exactly what im doing/looking for and im not waiting for replies to my questions then. Any advice/tips and what i should be asking myself or etc would be appreciated.

I highly recommend you invest in riding school. Not just to increase your survival techniques but also to answer your question above.

You'll be practicing in 250's and after 1 week with them, you will know by yourself if you're ready to jump to a 600, or if you need more time in a 250.

sold the 600cc beginning of this year, have a 250cc for the summer and let me tell you what a blast to ride, within 2 months of riding a 250cc i have learned more compare to riding 600cc/750cc for years.

a car almost blew through a stop sign and I swerved/clutched/braked fine, but when I started again, I think I just fumbled the clutch/brake/throttle too abruptly and lost balance. It was a light stationary drop, and I sort of held it as it came down, so it wasn't that bad. just a small scuff on the exhaust

It could've been much worse though. At least now I know to pay extra attention to cars at stop signs.

__________________Studies show 100% of people die.. Might as well have some fun.
Hello my name is PJ.

pay attention to cars always. regardless of where they are.
more often then not they don't see you. even if they do, assume they do not.
i've had people look directly at me and act like i wasn't there.. so i think it would be more accurate to say they were looking through me...

I'd like to think I'm generally a safe rider, but there's no arguing that every now and then I have my brain farts due to over-comfort or complacency and whatnot. Anyhow, I'd say I got off easy in having that little reminder.

Safe riding people!

__________________Studies show 100% of people die.. Might as well have some fun.
Hello my name is PJ.

the 250's hold their value well, so if you buy used, you have a very good chance to at least break even. you might even make a bit if you find the right person. they are also cheaper than 600's, so that means more money to spend on your gear.

when you're budgeting for your bike, don't forget to budget for gear too. even if you just get helmet, boots, jacket, gloves, that is potentially 700+ in gear. ymmv on pricing. i would say start with at least helmet jacket and gloves. but get proper boots asap.

i started on a 1978 GS400, and i didn't have proper boots, but i wore my steeltoes, so it wasn't as bad.

but realistically, a pair of Alpinestar SMX5 can be had for around 200.
HJC helmets are decently priced at around 150-200
gloves depending on leather or mesh. shorty or gauntlet could be from 50-400
for jackets the options are endles, and usually start around 150 i think.

i'm in the camp of getting a 250 as a starter, you'll learn to control a bike better on the smaller bike because it is lighter, and you can wring it's neck.

starting on a 600 is like holding a lit bottle rocket in your hand. you're always fearful of it, and it might blow up in your face. as a new rider you would always be babying the bike, and that is good for neither you nor the bike.

there is plenty of time to upgrade in the future, why jump into the 10m part of the pool on your first day of swimming lessons?